Aboard the Heli-Carrier Count Royale, a representative of A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics) a society of the world's greatest intellects, is offended by SHIELD's security measures. Fury uses a sonic vibrator to blast into an underwater base but is trapped between electric energy waves. A stalemate occurs when Fury reveals he has fission bombs that would blow up the base. A group of androids escape and trample AIM's hordes. Royale tells SHIELD's directors he cannot offer AIM's services and technology under their current leader. Defeating the androids Fury suspects A.I.M behind the operation.

Indexer Notes

Part 2 of 5. Story continues from TALES OF SUSPENSE #78 (June 1966), and presumably the flashback in STRANGE TALES #160-161 (Sept-Oct 1967) which was "too secret" for anyone to talk about. The android-growing tanks appear to pay tribute to THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951). 1st published appearance of Count Royale; based on the dialogue the story takes place after his appearance in this month's TALES OF SUSPENSE #79 (July 1966) since his motivations in this story are questionable (his guilt is confirmed in the Captain America episode). Stark's problems with the Senate in TALES OF SUSPENSE #72-84 (December 1965-December 1966) are mentioned; his plant is forcibly shut down in SUSPENSE #78 (June 1966) presumably allowing A.I.M. to offer their technology to SHIELD.

Using his mystic powers to temporarily bind the sleeping Eternity Dormammu lures Strange to another dimension and challenges him but as they begin their mystical combat Eternity breaks free. He tells Dormammu to end the violence, but instead he attacks Eternity. Their encounter is brief and destructive as Dormammu is smashed between two colliding spheres. Eternity vanishes while Strange is hurled between dimensions and rescued by The Ancient One. Strange releases all those who were banished by him, including Baron Mordo and Clea, who he affectionately bids farewell to for the time being.